DRAINAGE WORKS IN THE MAKERUA

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6808, 11 January 1929, Page 3

DRAINAGE WORKS IN THE MAKERUA

MEETING OP KOARD, The Makerua Drainage Board met yesterday morning there being present: J. H. T. Hume (chairman), H. Akers, J. F. Carter, H. Greig and T. D; Lynch. Mr F. C. Hay was appointed consulting engineer for one year at a salary of £250. Messrs. Stevens and Co., Wellington, wrote that their representative had inspected the board’s dredge which jvas for sale, but iho firm was unable to make any offer. The chairman reported that "the dredge had' sunk at her moorings and that, acting with the overseer, he had ordered all movable gear to be dismantled and removed for storage at, Tokomaru. In the meantime the clredge was to be left as at present, as the cost of refloating or completely dismantling it would be prohibitive. There appeared to be no doubt that whoever bought the dredge, if it was ever sold by the board, would have to build a new hull under it. The chairman’s action in storing tho movable machinery was confirmed. Tho Horowhcnua County Council wrote appointing the chairman and Crs. Whyte and Cat-ley and the engineer a committee to meet the Makerua,Board to discuss matters relating to the Kara Main Bridge and approaches. —It was decided that the whole board be appointed to meet the County Council on a date to be arranged. Tho Manawatu-Oroua River Board wrote approving of the Makerua Board carrying out Mr Hay’s No. 2 scheme a-, set out, subject to the ManawatuOroua Board being free from all claims should any damage be caused through such work being carried out. The letter was referred to the Makcrua Board’s solicitors, who wrote as follows:—“We see no necessity whatever for you giving tho River Board any indemnity or undertaking to make good any resulting damage. If damages, in fact, resulting from your board’s operations, a claim may arise from the person injured, but the River Board can be under no liability as the work is not that of the River Board and their mere consent to the work being done by your board would not produce any liability as against tbo River Board. Wo do not think the consent of the River Board was in reality necessary in the present instance. River Protection Conference. A letter was received from the Man-awatu-Oroua River Board inviting representatives of the Makerua Board to attend a conference of local bodies to be held on January 24 to consider the adoption of a comprehensive river protection scheme.

Mr Greig expressed tho opinion that tho board should define its policy and instruct its delegates before they attended tho conference.

Mr Carter’s opinion was that the board should support the modified scheme as recommended by the Royal Commission, provided the ratepayers not called upon to pay more than their equitable share of the cost-. The chairman that if t.hc big scheme could be put through without unduly raising the rates, it would be a good thing and they should go ahead with it. During tho next four or five years they would have to find between £SOO and £6OO a year for baffk protection works. If the big scheme went through this would bo obviated. He personally favoured the adoption of the scheme provided they secured what he called “justice” in regard to ciJSt. He suggested that the board hold a special meeting next week to consider its policy.

Mr. Carter declared that the whole of the ratepayers in the Makerua area wopld oppose the present proposed allocation of cost. Mr Greig said that the board always had to consider the ability of its ratepayers to meet increased rates, and in his opinion ratepayers had just about reached their capacity in this direction. It was no use the board committing itself to any scheme that was beyond the purses of its ratepayers and which could not be carried out. If the rates were too high the Government Loans Board might not pass the loan as the burden on the land was already high.

The chairman: That is the position in a nutshell. The whole thing is bristling with difficulties. Mr. Akers said that it would be a big help to tho board ; s drainage work if the river protection works were gone on with.

Mr. Carter said that tho essence of the board’s scheme was the safety of tho banks and to ensure that there should not bo competitive banking on each side of the river. They should give the matter very careful consideration before opposing the scheme.

It was decided on tho chairman’s motion to hold a special meeting of tho board next week, on Thursday evening, to ronsider the board’s attitude and policy to tho proposed allocation of cost.